It's a Wonderful Life (in Winter)
December 14, 2016
Is there anything quite like watching a young
child make snow angels in the snow for the
first time or seeing a pet frolic in the
winter white lovely?
That's just the spirit I hope to convey:
the wonder of nature,
innocence,
and
heartwarming magic.
There may be no one on the planet more
skilled at capturing that spirit with words
as succinctly and lyrically as Mary Oliver.
Let her poem about snow soothe
your mind and transport you to
a peaceful wintry state of mind,
then let the images of creatures
on the ground and in the air
warm you to your core.
(Let me know in a comment whether you have snow
in your neck of the woods and which image is your favorite!)
First Snow
The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an oracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended.
The silence
is immense,
and the heavens still hold
a million candles, nowhere
the familiar things:
stars, the moon,
the darkness we expect
and nightly turn from. Trees
glitter like castles
of ribbons, the broad fields
smolder with light, a passing
creekbed lies
heaped with shining hills;
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain — not a single
answer has been found —
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an oracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended.
The silence
is immense,
and the heavens still hold
a million candles, nowhere
the familiar things:
stars, the moon,
the darkness we expect
and nightly turn from. Trees
glitter like castles
of ribbons, the broad fields
smolder with light, a passing
creekbed lies
heaped with shining hills;
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain — not a single
answer has been found —
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.
Mary Oliver
from American Primitive
from American Primitive
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| 37. Has any of these creatures in the snow ushered you into a serene winter wonderland? I so miss watching my little Bella Luna enjoying the cold temperatures and snow... she just adored it and helped me see its beauty. Recent posts you may have missed:  Peace to you right where you are. |
6 comments
These images did my heart well this rainy California morning, thank you!
ReplyDeletei'm so glad, michelle! peace to you. xox
DeleteI'm near Chicago...we have the most beautiful blanket of snow. But it's freezing, as you know. I love the bulldog image- we have one!
ReplyDeleteJust adorable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to start my day! Thanks Michelle! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo pretty I went through twice!
ReplyDeleteYour comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.